Breastfeeding: necessary or not?

Question

I am not planning on breastfeeding my baby. I've been reading a lot of prejudices towards women who choose not to, and I'm interested to hear from some other mothers on here - did you breastfeed because you thought you had to or because you wanted to? Or did you not breastfeed? I'll feed the baby breast milk, but I'll pump it b/c the thought of breastfeeding just does NOT mesh with me.

Answer 1

I did the breastfeeding thing for a couple weeks, NOT FUN. I was sore constantly. My Doc. said it was only important for the first couple of days. He said that formula is almost as good as breast milk now days anyway. I pumped for a little while after that. When my son was a few months old, he went completely on formula. He is absolutely fine, with VERY few health problems. You should do want you want. I understand not wanting to breastfeed. A lot of moms are going to give you crap about this, I'll be surprised if they don't. But, it's your baby, and your body. You should do what you feel comfortable with, period!

EDIT

You know, men can actually produce milk, taking the right vitamins, and with pumping (100% true) So, you men who think it is necessary, why don't you do next time?
Nipple confusion is not a problem with every baby, my son did not have any trouble with it.

Answer 2

I breastfeed my baby because I know it is the best thing for her, and I would do anything to give my girl the best. I dont think anyone truly breastfeeds because they feel they 'have to', or at least it wont continue long if they feel that way. Do you have an idea of why you feel so against breastfeeding? Is this a feeling you've grown up with, or is it recent? You may find you change your mind once you are more informed, or when your baby is actually born. I've heard this happens often enough for mother's who find the idea a bit squeamish. To pump and give bottles adds in many more steps into the natural process of breastfeeding (which you will not appreciate at 3am), as well as can introduce bacteria to your newborn through insterile preparation. Of course, if you are dead set against actively breastfeeding, I do commend you for deciding to pump. Formula is no where near as healthy for your baby as some pretend it is.
There are pejudices out there about every aspect of child-rearing, you will soon find that out. For those who give bottles, there is pressure from breastfeeders. For those who breastfeed, there is pressure from formula givers. If you spank your child, if you work, if you take your newborn outside, if you pretty much do anything with your baby there will be someone to say you are doing it wrong. Learn to live with that now, before you go crazy by it!

Edit: It's not just the colostrum that is important, that is not a true statement at all - well there are various untrue statements in other responses, I hope you can pick them out. And I agree that pumping is difficult for some, it was for me. There are various 'tricks' to use when pumping, but it isnt easy for all of us.

Answer 3

Medically speaking, breastfeeding, rather feeding the baby breast milk is superior to formula. It does not matter (bonding theories aside) whether the milk comes directly from the breast or if the breast milk is pumped. It is not a question of 'necessary', as many people use formula and their babies are fine, rather what is better. Benefits of breast milk include less problems with constipation, fewer upper respiratory and ear infections, and other benefits (its FREE). If you do plan to pump, you should learn how long you can keep the milk in the fridge, etc.. Also, keep in mind that even if you do plan to use breast milk, you can only use it exclusively until the baby is 6 months, afterwhich you need to supplement with something else in order to get enough calories. I disagree that the benefits of breast milk are conferred in only the first few days of life, as one response suggested. Also, keep in mind that subjects like this often spawn radical opinions one way or the other, so do what you can- your baby will be fine. Congratulations on your upcoming baby.

Answer 4

You know what? I felt exactly the same with my now 5 year old, I kinda thought eww a baby sucking on my breast! I did however feel pressure to breastfeed, and the moment I gave birth and she was placed on my chest, the natural thing for me to do was breast feed her! I was actually upset when my milk disappeared after only 4 months of breast feeding her. I was forced to put her onto bottle, I didn't feel as strong of a connection when feeding her with a bottle. I am now 35 weeks pregnant with my second girl, and I am hoping I will be able to breast feed her longer than my first.
Look an easy way for you to see whats best for you and your baby is just to try breast feeding while your in hospital, let them show you how to do it (not easy!) and give it a try, if it still doesn't 'mesh' with you (which being a completely natural way of feeding) then go onto the bottle. so much more work involved through if your going to pump and THEN feed to your baby. good luck either way!

Answer 5

It's not necessary to breastfeed. I'm breastfeeding because it's cheaper then buying formula for one, I've also read some good information about it. However I find nothing wrong with formula feeding either. Do whatever is comfortable to you. In the long run it really is up to you and don't let anyone give you crap whether you decide to breastfeed, formula feed, pump or what not.
As long as the baby gets fed it doesn't really matter.

Answer 6

I fed my daughhter because i wanted to. She's now six months old and she has formula when i'm at work. But i feed her before i go, and when i get home and through the night and the days i'm not at work. I would try to breastfeed your baby. Pumping, and steralising bottles and equipment and heating them up in the middle of the night while the baby is screaming is a pain in the ****! I tried it for a few days - really annoying! If you do try to feed the baby, try to go for at least 3 weeks. Something like 75% of new mums give up within the first month, but if you can get past any problems you have in the first couple of weeks then you should be fine. If you notice any lumps massage them in a circular motion towards the nipple to prevent mastitis.
Good luck what ever you do

Answer 7

Breastfeeding is a great bonding experience for a mother and her child. However, since you have decided not to breastfeed, I think it is great that you still want to give your baby the benefits of breastmilk. Obviously, no one should be looked down upon for their choice, but breastmilk does offer many benefits to the baby and the mother. It gives the baby useful antibodies, protecting against infections and allergies. It is easily digested by the infant, and has exactly the nutrients the child needs. It also helps slow down bleeding immediatly after birth and helps the mother lose weight faster.

Answer 8

I tyred to breast feed my 1st child but couldn't after a week, he was not getting anything so I had no choice but to bottle feed.
I lost a baby with my 2nd pregnancy we were meant to be having twins and after my daughter was born I feed her for the first 2 days then changed to formula. So far I have had no probs with her.
It's up to U on breastfeeding and no one else. Breast feeding is hard and makes ur nipples sore as dose expressing milk.
As long as u feed the baby breast milk for the first day or so It's OK to change to formula. It's ur decision! Also ur opinion might change once u have ur baby and u might want to breast feed.

Answer 9

I breastfed because I felt it was the right thing to do and I wanted to give the baby all the benefits (as well as myself), plus I had a really bizarre view that if I breastfed then I knew exactly what the baby was getting in their system ie you don't know for sure what they put in formula.......(very bizarre but it was allowed as you can be bizarre when your pregnant!). I think if your still going to give the baby your milk and it feels best for you then that's the next best thing. Good plan - at least you havent just ditched the whole idea.

Answer 10

I'm not a mother. But my sister is. First you have to know that we are Asians. Donno whether our cultural practices go against yours. Any way it is universally accepted that mother is the closest to her own baby and breastfeeding makes that bond stronger. Almost all the Sri Lankans breast feed children and you have to know that there are breast exercises if there's any problem with them. Children are the best gift nature gives us. We have to obey some natural phenomena. Don't we? So be a good mother to your child and breast feeding is a must. Women have the gift of becoming mothers, donot give it up. Beauty is also important but pls be aware Science helps us in such moments.